Camino de Santiago FRANCES from Sarria in SHORT STAGES

You will reach Sarria on your own or if you need we can organise your transfer from the airport, the train station or any other point in Galicia. After leaving your luggage at the accommodation you will have the opportunity to visit the old quarter of Sarria and stamp your credential to start your walk of the Camino de Santiago on the next day.

• Day 2
• Sarria
• Morgade
• 12 Km.

After a good night of rest and a great breakfast at your accommodation, you will start the first stage of your Camino de Santiago between Sarria and Morgade. 12 kilometres walking following the yellow arrows and the scallop shells of the milestones through paths crossing small towns of the Galician countryside such as Vilei, Barbadelo, Rente, A Serra and finally Morgade where you will end your stage. Our driver will take you to the accommodation in Portomarín. We recommend you to stroll around the cobbled streets of this small village visited by thousands of pilgrims along the year. We also suggest you have a glimpse at the church of San Nicolás and enjoy the gastronomy, the “empanada” (pie) of European eels stands out and also the liquor.

• Day 3
• Morgade
• Portomarín
• 11 Km.

Today your stage will start with a slight climb towards the village of Ferreiros, once there you can visit the Romanesque church of Santa María and seal your pilgrim passport. Following the yellow arrows, you will cross the rural towns of Pena and Mercadoiro. You will face the end of the stage descending gently to the reservoir of Belesar where you will cross the bridge over the river Miño, you will be able to have a glimpse at the old village of Portomarín if the river is low, you can also see the arches of the Roman bridge. To reach the new town centre you’ll have to climb up the stairs of the medieval bridge and pass under the chapel of As Neves. You’ll spend the night at Portomarín.

• Day 4
• Portomarín
• Ventas de Narón
• 13 Km.

This stage of the Camino de Santiago from Portomarín to Ventas de Narón runs along paths between small villages, wooded areas, croplands and tracks close to the road. Leaving the town of Portomarín you’ll descend again towards the reservoir of Belesar and you’ll face the ascent towards Monte de San Antonio. The first town that you’ll encounter is Gonzar, where you can take a short break to recover energy. The next village is Castromaior, probably one of the most interesting spots of this stage where a few metres from the Camino you can take a detour to see the fort of Castromaior, an archaeological site dating from the Iron Age settlements and one of the main forts of the Iberian Peninsula. You will proceed with your Camino towards Hospital da Cruz and two kilometres after you will reach Ventas de Narón where you will end your stage. We’ll pick you up to take you to the accommodation where you will spend the night in Palas de Rei.

• Day 5
• Ventas de Narón
• Palas de Rei
• 12 Km.

In this stage between Ventas de Narón and Palas de Rei, you’ll enjoy the Camino passing through small villages such as A Previsa and Os Lameiros where is located the chapel of San Marcos. Then you’ll have to climb to the Ligonde mountains where you can rest a bit and seal your pilgrim passport. After that, you’ll descend to Palas de Rei crossing the rural areas of Airexe, Portos, Lestedo and Os Valos. Once at the accommodation of Palas de Rei we recommend you to visit the castle Castillo de Pambre and the Romanesque temple of Vilar de Donas.

• Day 6
• Palas de Rei
• Melide
• 15 Km.

Today you’ll face one of the nicest stages of the Camino de Santiago, with a more rural environment and beautiful landscapes that lie at the foot of the Serra do Careón. Despite the few hills, the journey towards Melide goes downwards. The first town that you will find is San Xulián do Camiño where the Camino goes by a wonderful chestnut grove. Following the signs of the milestones walking through the woods you’ll cross Ponte Campaña, Casanova, Vilar de Remonde, O Coto and Leboreiro, whose name means hare land, it’s one of the most picturesque small villages along the French Way, with its cobbled pavement, a stone cross and the church of Santa María (dating from the 13th century), which is a major patrimonial milestone of the Camino de Santiago with amazing wall paintings inside. Next, the yellow arrows will take you to the village of Furelos that you will reach through the impressive four arch bridge dating from the 12th century and where the river of the same name flows by. From this point, you’ll make out the end of the stage in Melide.

• Day 7
• Melide
• Arzúa
• 14 Km.

Despite having a few ups and downs the stage between Melide and Arzúa is rather pleasant with a distance of 15 kilometres. Exiting Melide you’ll find the church of Santa María of Melide and the bridge over the river Catasol, this stone bridge is probably one of the most photographed of the French Way. The next stop is the small town of Boente, which already belongs to the council of Arzúa, here we recommend you to seal your pilgrim passport at the church of Santiago. You’ll continue your journey along dirt tracks passing by the places of Figueiroa and A Castañeda until you arrive at Ribadiso where you’ll cross its Roman bridge and you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the charm of this paved village. From here there are 3 kilometres upwards until you get to your destination, Arzúa. In Arzúa you can taste and enjoy its delicacy, the Arzúa-Ulloa cheese with Designation of Origin. We also recommend you to stroll around the town and enjoy the pilgrim atmosphere since in this point of the Camino pilgrims from the Primitive, French and Northern Way merge.

• Day 8
• Arzúa
• A Brea
• 13 Km.

Walking along the lovely and cobbled street Rúa do Carmen in Arzúa you’ll start this stretch of the French Way to Santiago between Arzúa and A Brea, a path without difficulties that can be done easily since it’s pretty flat. Today’s stage goes by the small towns of Preguntoño, Taberna Vella, Calle, Salceda and Brea where ends your walk today. We’ll pick you up and transfer you back to the accommodation in Pedrouzo where you’ll rest and spend the night.

• Day 9
• A Brea
• San Paio
• 13 Km.

Today’s hike between A Brea and San Paio starts along a path close to the national road, after a short climb it will take you to the first village of this stretch, O Empalme, belonging to the parish of San Lorenzo de Pastor. Then between eucalyptus, you’ll descend towards to Santa Irene where you can visit its chapel and the fountain of baroque origin. Then you’ll cross the rural area of A Rúa and your next stop will be in O Pedrouzo, a town that provides all the services needed where you can stop and rest for a while in some of its restaurants and coffee shops with a great pilgrim atmosphere. You’ll continue your walk along the Camino until Amenal where a hard climb awaits you until you arrive at Cimadevila, two kilometres further you will reach today’s aim, San Paio where you’ll end this stage.

• Day 10
• San Paio
• Santiago
• 12 Km.

Today is the big day, after completing more than 100 kilometres you are only 12 kilometres away to achieve your goal. You’ll leave San Paio towards Lavacolla, San Marcos and O Monte do Gozo from where you’ll spy the cathedral. After an easy drop you’ll enter the city of Santiago de Compostela through the quarter of Os Concheiros, the street Calle Casas Reais, the square Plaza de Cervantes, the Calle Azabachería and finally you’ll arrive in the imposing Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. You’ll spend the night at a centrally located hotel so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the city, its amazing cuisine and its historic monuments.

After breakfast, our services of the Camino de Santiago will end, if you wish you can attend the pilgrim mass celebrated each day at noon. If you have a few more days at Galician Roots we recommend you to have a look at our guided trips section, where you can find a guided visit with a local guide in Santiago de Compostela and many other experiences around Galicia.